n

n

nThe shadow stood in front of John and seemed to effortlessly stop the swing of the assassin.

n

"Who..?

" John asked.

nThe shadow turned and faced him. At the same time, the assassin who was behind the shadow, took that opportunity and swung both daggers diagonally at the shadow.

n

"Watch ou-

"

nBefore John could even finish, it happened.

n

"..Eh..?

" He unintentionally let out.

n'What happened..? What's going on..?' John wondered.

nBoth hands of the assassin who held the dagger were severed.

n

"What..?

" Muttered the man as he looked at his severed hands.

nHe started to scream in pain once he finally realised what had happened.

n

"H.. Hel..p me...

" Muttered that man as he faced the original spell caster of the group who had casted shadow lance on the civilians.

nThe spell caster simply watched as the assassin cried out for help.

nIn an instant, his head fell off, or rather, it was cut off.

n'How..? When..? I couldn't even see it…' John wondered with shock.

n'When was his hand cut off..? T-This pressure... It's terrifying, I've never felt anything like it…' John tried to comprehend.

nHe began to tremble as he stood behind this shadow.

n'G-get up! S-Stop shaking... Get up!' John spoke to himself.

nThe shadow which had enveloped the figure disappeared and John began to get a clear look at its appearance.

nLong black hair tied up in a ponytail with deep lifeless eyes. Her eyes reminded John of when he first met Ariel. But these seemed darker. It was as if they were clouded in complete darkness with no room for light.

nShe was much taller than John and seemed to be around 19. Either way, she was definitely an adult.

nThe woman slowly approached John with a blank expression, despite having just killed someone, almost as if she lacked her emotions.

nInstinctively, John backed away. His legs were trembling, so much it was hard to stand. He didn't know why, but the pressure that was coming out of her, it was much more terrifying than rose's or the Death knight.

nThe woman who saw his sudden reaction showed John a calm smile before turning towards the spell caster.

nHe looked like he had finished a chant.

n

"Tenebris Imp-

" Translation: Dark Imp-

n

"Ventu-

"

nAgain, John couldn't see it. As he was about to cast velox and propel it straight at him, the woman disappeared.

nBy the time John realised she had already pierced the man's stomach with her dagger.

nShe was muttering a few words in front of him, but John couldn't hear them.

n

"She's chanting..?

" He asked myself.

nThe man who had been pierced grunted in pain as he spat out blood from his mouth.

n

"Who..? How...

" Muttered the man with a confused expression.

nA second later, as if he realised something, the confused expression on the man's face changed into a smile.

n

"O-Oh... I see... You must be the wandering sha-

"

n

"Loculo tenebris

" Translation: Dark Coffin

nBefore he could finish. A shadow in the shape of a coffin was formed behind the man.

n

"What's that..? A coffin..?

" John said with shock.

nThe man started to laugh as he was sucked inside; he didn't even struggle, or maybe he couldn't.

nThere was nothing but complete darkness inside of the coffin.

nAfter it pulled him in, it closed itself and remained formed in the air.

n'Looks like something to trap him... Did she keep him alive for information..?' John thought about her motives.

nThe woman looked at John once again with the same lifeless, expressionless look on her face and formed a small smile before disappearing into the shadows along with the coffin.

n

"Who... Wait! Thank you! I was just surprised!

" John shouted out.

n'What's the point, I can't even feel her with deprehendre anymore... I doubt she can hear me.' John thought.

n'Who was she..? Was there always someone that strong here..? She took out the boss and his subordinate in seconds... Wait. Are those 3 alright?!' John wondered.

nThe Area was empty and John had no time to worry; he had used Ventus without fake chants and propelled himself straight to the back of the carriage.

nWhen he arrived there, he was shocked. The other two subordinates were lying on the ground, with a stab wound. John wasn't detecting any life from them with deprehendre.

n

"They're dead... Ariel, Serena, what happened?

" John asked.

nBoth Ariel and Serena had scared looks on their faces.

n

"A shadow came and killed them... Luckily it wasn't after us...

" Said Serena.

nAriel nodded at what Serena said.

nThey were both still trembling.

nJohn ran up to them and gave them both a hug as he said.

n

"I'm just glad you're fine... I underestimated their abilities and ended up being useless... I'm not cut out to be our leader.

" John said in self depreciation.

n

"That's right... You're annoying, arrogant, immature, childish, and delusional. You also think that you can play hero. You have no idea how worried you make the people around you,

" Said Serena.

nSuddenly she tightly hugged John back as she said.

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"But you're irreplaceable... stop being depressed, that doesn't suit you. I prefer it when you're annoying.

" She added.

nJohn couldn't tell what sort of expression she was making, but he didn't need to know. He could tell that she was being honest, even if it ruined his little self-esteem.

n

"Serena's right... Without John, we probably wouldn't have survived in the dungeon, I wouldn't have found a place where I belong and Serena would still be alone in search of a party...

" Ariel spoke.

n

"Oi.

" Said Serena.

n

"So stop being depressed, Idiot! If you underestimate them, then stop. If you're useless, then become useful. You showed me that even someone as talentless as me with nowhere to go, could become something... Now stop being depressed and grow up!

" Said Ariel.

nAfter she said that, she also tightly hugged John back.

nBoth John and Serena were surprised by Ariel's sudden speech.

n

"Y-You're right... As much as it hurt... Alright, I know what we're going to do.

" John replied.

n'I'm going to find whoever the lady was, and I'll have her become my master! No matter what it takes, I'll get her to teach me.' John thought with determination.

n

"Seeing that person fight... She was amazing... I feel like it was just a coincidence that we met... While we're at it, we'll enter the academy.. That way, we'll definitely improve,

" John muttered.

n